Senate Judiciary Clears Antitrust Court Venue Bill

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced by voice vote Thursday legislation that would strengthen the right of state attorneys general to litigate antitrust cases in courts of their choosing. S-1787, the State Antitrust Enforcement Venue Act (see 2109150054), would strengthen AG discretion over defendants seeking to move cases to preferred venues. The House Judiciary Committee in June passed companion legislation from House Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman David Cicilline, D-R.I., and ranking member Ken Buck, R-Colo. (see 2106240071). The bill “will allow for more efficient and effective antitrust enforcement by state attorneys general, which is good for competition and consumers,” said Senate Antitrust Subcommittee Chair Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., in a statement. The bill “will give a much-needed boost to State antitrust enforcement actions, and will respect States’ sovereignty in their efforts to protect their citizens from abusive monopolists,” said ranking member Mike Lee, R-Utah, who co-authored the plan.